Chapter 5: The Boardroom Trap

Morning sunlight spilled through the penthouse’s high windows, glinting off polished marble and half-empty champagne flutes from the gala. Ava blinked awake to the faint hum of the city below. For a moment she forgot where she was — then she saw the sleek gray suit hanging on the chair beside her bed and remembered.

Mrs. Blackwood.

Ethan was already gone. The scent of his cologne lingered in the room — crisp cedar, faint smoke — like a memory she couldn’t shake.

On the dining table lay a note in his precise handwriting:

> 9 a.m. — Board meeting. Wear something that says you belong.

Ava smiled wryly. Challenge accepted.

---

An hour later, she stepped out of the elevator into the top floor of Blackwood Industries. The entire floor was glass, chrome, and quiet intimidation. Men in tailored suits turned as she passed; assistants murmured her name with curiosity and disbelief.

She wore a cream-colored power suit, minimalist jewelry, and red lipstick bold enough to silence a room. Her heels clicked against the floor like a metronome of confidence she didn’t quite feel.

Inside the boardroom, twelve of the company’s most powerful executives sat around a long obsidian table. At the head sat Ethan — composed, unreadable, the morning light catching the edge of his silver watch.

When he saw her enter, something flickered in his eyes. Approval, maybe. Or surprise.

“Mrs. Blackwood,” he said, his voice carrying through the room. “Gentlemen, this is my wife, Ava. She’ll be observing today.”

One of the older board members — gray hair, sharp tone — leaned back. “Observing? Or representing the press?”

A few polite chuckles followed.

Ava smiled sweetly. “Neither. I’m here to learn why this company prefers to underestimate women.”

The laughter died. Ethan’s lips twitched — not quite a smile, but close. “Let’s proceed.”

---

The presentation began. Financial projections, expansion plans, a pending merger with an overseas firm. Ava listened, taking mental notes. She didn’t understand every number, but she understood people — and right now, the room was full of tension disguised as professionalism.

Halfway through, one executive interrupted Ethan’s summary. “With all due respect, sir, the merger proposal has raised concerns about the company’s image — your personal life, especially after… recent headlines.”

Ava felt every eye shift toward her. The tabloids had already begun spinning stories from last night’s gala: “Billionaire’s New Wife — Gold Digger or Genius?”

Ethan’s jaw tightened, but before he could speak, Ava did.

“If you’re referring to that article,” she said calmly, “I believe it also mentioned that the company’s shares rose two points this morning.”

A few heads turned. Ethan looked at her, eyebrows lifting slightly.

She continued, voice steady. “Public attention doesn’t always equal scandal. Sometimes, it equals opportunity. People love a redemption story — and if this company is smart, it’ll use that narrative instead of fighting it.”

Silence. Then one of the marketing heads cleared his throat. “She’s… right. Our social metrics are up 18% since the announcement.”

Ethan folded his arms, watching her with new intensity. “Go on.”

Ava met his gaze, pulse racing but refusing to falter. “You built an empire on strategy, Ethan. But empathy — image — those are currencies too. If you want loyalty from investors, give them something to believe in. Let them see that the Blackwood brand isn’t just power — it’s heart.”

The board members exchanged uncertain glances. Ethan looked at her for a long, unreadable moment, then turned to the group.

“You heard her,” he said. “Prepare a media strategy. Emphasize stability, unity, purpose. Meeting adjourned.”

---

When the room emptied, Ethan remained seated, eyes fixed on her.

Ava exhaled slowly. “Did I overstep?”

He leaned back, a slow smile ghosting across his lips. “You just silenced twelve men who’ve been in this business longer than you’ve been alive. I’d call that impressive.”

She tilted her head. “So… not fired?”

“Not even close.”

He rose and walked toward her, stopping only a breath away. The faint scent of his cologne mixed with the adrenaline still humming through her veins.

“You spoke like someone who belongs here,” he said quietly. “I didn’t expect that.”

Ava met his gaze, chin lifting. “Maybe you should stop underestimating me.”

He smirked faintly. “Noted.”

Their eyes held for a long moment — challenge, respect, and something deeper neither dared to name. Then his phone buzzed, shattering the moment.

He answered sharply, his expression darkening as he listened. “What do you mean the investors are pulling out?” He paused, jaw clenched. “No, handle it — I’m on my way.”

He ended the call and turned to her. “Something’s wrong. A leak in the merger documents. Someone inside the company is feeding information to the press.”

Ava frowned. “Who would do that?”

His voice dropped. “Someone who wants to destroy me.”

For the first time, she saw it — not the arrogance, but the vulnerability beneath his control. The man who’d built his empire brick by brick, now watching the cracks spread.

She touched his arm gently. “Then let me help.”

He looked at her hand, then into her eyes. “Careful, Ava. The deeper you step into my world, the harder it is to walk out.”

She smiled faintly. “Maybe I stopped wanting to walk out.”

For once, he didn’t have an answer.

---

That night, as the elevator doors closed behind him on his way to fix another crisis, Ava stood alone in the office surrounded by city lights. Somewhere between the boardroom tension and the flash of understanding in Ethan’s eyes, she realized the truth.

She wasn’t pretending anymore.

And neither was he.